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buckle 1 of 2

verb

Definition of bucklenext
1
as in to collapse
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure the flimsy bridge buckled under the weight of the caravan of trucks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to devote
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention buckled himself down and finished the assignment in record time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

buckle

2 of 2

noun

as in loop

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of buckle
Verb
The term works best when the player on the move is important to their team, perhaps a fan favourite, but has buckled at the idea of joining (insert ‘bigger’ club). — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Next is the Gen-FF Back Strap mules, which feature a cushioned sole and buckled strap to secure the foot. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
Teams get the model right, get the framework right and watch the whole thing buckle because the data layer was never designed for the access patterns AI agents generate. — Gopi Duddi, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The new model also features the Reef 2's full-coverage hood, UPF50+ sun protection, a reversible seat, magnetic buckle and a universal car seat adapter as standard options. — Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for buckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buckle
  1. collapse
  2. devote
  3. loop
  4. go
  5. apply
  6. fold
  7. give
  8. spiral
Verb
  • That pair, combined with the wider structure and personnel around them, ensure Leeds do not collapse when home sides like Brighton, predictably, lay it on thick.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Researchers believe volcanic activity triggered an underwater landslide and caused a large chunk of Anak Krakatau’s southwest slope to collapse and displace a large volume of water.
    — Tatan Syuflana, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • After two hundred pages of diagnosing the Democrats’ problems, Jentleson devotes a single page to this solution, leaving many questions unanswered.
    — Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
  • And Arizona State has enough alternatives that KU cannot devote its entire plan to stopping him.
    — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of devote
Noun
  • Julia Loktev’s continuing chronicle of a group of independent Russian journalists working for the now-rogue news channel TV Rain closes an important emotional loop with its second part, which is even longer than the five-plus-hour first part.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026
  • But the plot loops and falls in on itself, rendering the dreamlike first half open to interpretation, and leaving viewers to sort through its many possible explanations.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of loop
Verb
  • Just like Jessel ending her toast with a dig at Erin last episode, so goes Erin.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The cultural transformation led by Rådström at Daimler Truck has not gone unnoticed.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of go
Verb
  • Because the case was filed as a class action lawsuit, if a judge sides with the plaintiffs, that decision will apply not just to the 17 scientist plaintiffs, but to any researcher whose work has been affected by the term searches.
    — Anil Oza, STAT, 17 Sep. 2026
  • In 2025, 101,900 people applied for asylum in the UK, the third-highest number ever recorded in a calendar year, according to government figures.
    — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of apply
Noun
  • Fuel prices have risen five-fold since, sparking a cost-of-living crisis that has become a key campaign issue ahead of an election in January in which Tinubu will seek a second term.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The Mafia Nanny brings Madden back into the 20th Television fold.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of fold
Verb
  • Counsell and Bregman demurred when asked for specifics of who came up with the costumes, instead giving everyone credit for what became a memorable day.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Miami coach Mario Cristobal did not give a prognosis for Brown after the 33-20 victory.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of give
Noun
  • What follows is surprisingly loaded in its socio-political imagery, but never quite varied enough to break free from its repetitive action spiral.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
  • For both countries, arguably nothing would be worse than a spiral into criminal violence and chaotic ungovernability on the island.
    — Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of spiral

Browse Nearby Words

bucking up
buckle
buckled
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Cite this Entry

“Buckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buckle. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on buckle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buckle

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